Professional Organizations

Membership in professional organizations is viewed not only as a right but as a professional responsibility. Professionalism begins during the college years, not upon graduation or licensure. Options for professional organization involvement are available at the student, local, state and national levels. These organizations include:

Student Level: Student Occupational Therapy Association

SOTA is the occupational therapy student club at Keuka College and is open to all OT majors. It provides social and professional learning experiences, and promotes a sense of community amongst students and faculty. The organization sponsors educational speakers, fund-raisers, and community service activities. SOTA is sponsored and funded by the Student Senate as an officially recognized club at Keuka College.

Membership in SOTA prepares the student for participation in professional level occupational therapy organizations.

* Several students attend both the state and national conferences each year with support from the student organizations.

PTE (Pi Theta Epsilon)

Keuka College has established the Alpha Sigma Chapter of this prestigious national honor society for outstanding Occupational Therapy students. Members are elected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, and service. Eligible students must have attained second semester junior standing, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5, and rank in the top 35% of their occupational therapy class. Both full and part-time students are eligible. PTE is also sponsored and funded through the Student Senate as an official organization at Keuka College.

The Alpha Sigma Chapter promotes intellectual, spiritual, cultural, and professional development. PTE is known for promoting the profession of OT during April, which is National Occupational Therapy Month. Each year the organization brings speakers to campus that cover topics well beyond the entry-level practitioner.

State: NYSOTA

Students are encouraged to become members of the New York State Occupational Therapy Association and participate in district level meetings. Keuka College is located within the Rochester District, however students may also participate in the district they reside in.

National: American Occupational Therapy Association

AOTA was established in 1917 to promote the profession of OT and to foster excellence in practice. It does so through many routes such as:

• Developing standards for practice and education
• Accreditation of educational programs (ACOTE: Accreditation Council for OT Education)
• OT education
• Continuing education
• Consumer education
• Political action

AOTA's future depends upon the active involvement of all of its members, particularly our future OTs, our present students. Remember, AOTA is us not them.